Conservative billionaire industrialist David Koch is retiring from his roles at Koch Industries and associated companies due to poor health, according to an internal memo seen by Reuters. David Koch, 78, along with his elder brother Charles, owns the second largest private US company, whose operations range from refining and chemicals to ranching and forest products. The brothers are known to spend heavily on conservative initiatives and to oppose government intervention in business. David, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer almost two decades ago, is the executive vice president at Koch Industries. The brothers have donated several millions to doctors and researchers working towards a cancer cure. "David has always been a fighter and is dealing with this challenge in the same way," Charles Koch wrote in the memo dated June 4. The company said no decision had been made on his replacement. The news comes a day after the brothers said they will launch a multimillion-dollar campaign to oppose President Donald Trump's tariffs, and to champion free trade. The Kochs, who have channelled billions of dollars into conservative causes, kept their distance from Trump during the 2016 presidential election. Charles Koch spoke out against Trump's proposed Muslim registry. The brothers also strongly support legislation that seeks to protect "Dreamers" - people brought illegally to the United States as children - from deportation. However, the Kochs found common ground with the new Republican president on issues including rolling back federal regulations and pulling out of the Paris global climate accord, after the election. Australian Associated Press

David Koch to retire due to poor health

David Koch is stepping down from business and political activities he shares with brother Charles.

Conservative billionaire industrialist David Koch is retiring from his roles at Koch Industries and associated companies due to poor health, according to an internal memo seen by Reuters.

David Koch, 78, along with his elder brother Charles, owns the second largest private US company, whose operations range from refining and chemicals to ranching and forest products.

The brothers are known to spend heavily on conservative initiatives and to oppose government intervention in business.

David, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer almost two decades ago, is the executive vice president at Koch Industries. The brothers have donated several millions to doctors and researchers working towards a cancer cure.

"David has always been a fighter and is dealing with this challenge in the same way," Charles Koch wrote in the memo dated June 4.

The company said no decision had been made on his replacement.

The news comes a day after the brothers said they will launch a multimillion-dollar campaign to oppose President Donald Trump's tariffs, and to champion free trade.

The Kochs, who have channelled billions of dollars into conservative causes, kept their distance from Trump during the 2016 presidential election. Charles Koch spoke out against Trump's proposed Muslim registry.

The brothers also strongly support legislation that seeks to protect "Dreamers" - people brought illegally to the United States as children - from deportation.

However, the Kochs found common ground with the new Republican president on issues including rolling back federal regulations and pulling out of the Paris global climate accord, after the election.